Counted Place Reservation Systems

[transportphoto]

Hi,

I have just phoned a telesales department and asked for a couple of seat reservations.

The journey requested was Slough to Paddington - 20mins journey but can be a long time to stand for the 8yr old child coming with us.

We found that FGW only do Counted Place Systems - is this a recent thing as I have got actual seat reservations with seat numbers for FGW in the past.?

Also got me thinking, which other TOC's only offer Counted Place systems?

 

[Ivo]

What is a "Counted Place" system? I've had plenty of proper FGW seat reservations before now, including two this month!

If I didn't know better, I would suggest that the telesales people are wrong; don't take my word for it though.

 

[transportphoto]

What is a "Counted Place" system? I've had plenty of proper FGW seat reservations before now, including two this month!

If I didn't know better, I would suggest that the telesales people are wrong; don't take my word for it though.

They have given me a reference number - but said that FGW don't allocate specific seats, they operate a counted place system. She finished the conversation saying that our surname will also be on the reservation card on the back of the seat.

She hasn't given me a seat number - so how that is going to happen I don't know!

 

[island]

Did you request the reservation for a stopping service or a HST? I know the HSTs have reservations, but I imagine the stoppers don't.

 

[Ivo]

The following services have reservations:

All high-speed services
Cardiff to Portsmouth
Bristol and beyond to Brighton services
Night Riviera
Possibly some Oxford locals? - do not believe so

Most Slough services are none of these. Only the odd Worcester HST calls there usually. So unless you are set for one of those specifically, that may explain it.

 

[bb21]

If you're travelling from Slough, then can't imagine the 165/166's having reservation for specific seats. The best bet is to check the timetable and pick out HST workings.

Other TOC's I'm aware of that do "Counted Seat Reservations" include:
SWT (on 444s, 450s, 159s, etc),
SN (on 377s, etc),
LM (on 350s, etc),
XC (on 170s, etc),

 

[transportphoto]

Its the 1210 Thursday off Slough arriving 1229 - shown on East Coast and LM as having 1st Class, Reservations Available & a trolley service.

Don't know if that helps?

(If its a unit could you advise me of the HST services around that time?)

 

[Ivo]

1P40: 16x-operated service from Great Malvern, fast from Slough to Paddington.

To the best of my knowledge, and also the FGW timetable book, 16x units do not carry reservations.

 

[transportphoto]

Ok forget the 1210 - any ideas what fasts from Slough are HST's?

travelling around 1200 on a Thurs

TIA

 

[Ivo]

11:40

Give me a minute to check its details...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looks like an Oxford local, 1P39 (wow... so different!). So it should be fairly quiet.

 

[WestCoast]

I picked two services which were booked HSTs on this route last month, they ended up both being turbos!

 

[TEW]

1P40: 16x-operated service from Great Malvern, fast from Slough to Paddington.

To the best of my knowledge, and also the FGW timetable book, 16x units do not carry reservations.

1P40 is a pair of Class 166s from Oxford beyond so won't be too busy from Slough.

 

[transportphoto]

11:40

Give me a minute to check its details...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looks like an Oxford local, 1P39 (wow... so different!). So it should be fairly quiet.

Thanks, can you confirm its booked HST?

Is there any services up til about 1300 arrival at Paddington?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

11:40

Give me a minute to check its details...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looks like an Oxford local, 1P39 (wow... so different!). So it should be fairly quiet.

Thanks, can you confirm its booked HST?

Is there any other HST services up til about 1300 arrival at Paddington?

 

[RJ]

Could "counted seat" actually mean quota-controlled Advance reservations which don't actually include a seat reservation?

 

[yorkie]

Yes, I think RJ is right.

And there won't be a problem with seats on this (short) journey at that time.

When I did it, it was a Sunday (and I didn't realise until it was too late how I could save so much with Oyster...) and the train was wedged at the rear, but very lightly loaded at the front, literally loads of room!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

They have given me a reference number - but said that FGW don't allocate specific seats, they operate a counted place system. She finished the conversation saying that our surname will also be on the reservation card on the back of the seat.

She hasn't given me a seat number - so how that is going to happen I don't know!

Reading from a script, and read out the wrong part.

 

[TEW]

Thanks, can you confirm its booked HST?

Is there any other HST services up til about 1300 arrival at Paddington?

The 1139 is the only HST around that time. It arrives at 1159. Otherwise the 1209 is a 6 carriage 166, so you won't have a problem getting a seat. That arrives at 1229. There is a 1239, arriving 1300. That is a 3 carriage 165/166 though.

 

[dzug2]

Could "counted seat" actually mean quota-controlled Advance reservations which don't actually include a seat reservation?

Not from Slough. However some of the turbos from Oxford do have quota controlled advance fares from Oxford - but no reservations.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/TTs Dec '10/GW10D_TT16_WEB_(1).pdf

shows which trains are booked as HST and should have actual reservations - the 1139/1140 is the only one anywhere near OPs times